Tag Archives: Paul Carrack

Unless you are part of the esteemed Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, you don’t see that many musicians performing a two night stand at the prestigious venue; it isn’t that it is not the done thing, it just happens that way, performers take to the stage, they give the audience the respect they are due and the harmony of expression and hopeful love, then they move onto the next town, perhaps only stopping to take a look at the city in daylight hours, rekindling a memory of their own before the bus and their equipment drives on.

Liverpool will always welcome back those who make the point, who express the truth of their love for the city; it can only ever hoped that such sentiment is always given and not neglected like other cities that turn their back on you. It is a sentiment that it is articulated with musical brilliance by Paul Carrack, a genuine man, a special musician, and one who understands just how much the city relishes in seeing its heroes on the stage.

It is a simple equation in the end, a matter of fact that should always be repeated wherever and whenever the mood strikes and the thoughts in the head turn to a more beautiful life than one recklessly being left to rot in the chains of musical absurdity. Paul Carrack does not come to Liverpool enough, especially for the army of fans he has made over a long and impressive career that packed out the Philharmonic Hall on sleet filled sky night in January.

You might always have a sneaking suspicion that one of Britain’s much loved and endearing song writers will always pull something special out of the bag when it comes to releasing an album of new songs,. Something that touches the listener in ways that remind them of the first time they saw a rainbow in the sky after a week’s worth of rain, a moment in time when the first sip of champagne at a wedding caught their taste buds and revelled in the simple but undeniable pleasure of a rite of passage; that effortless elegance, the uncomplicated grace that resides in the heart of Paul Carrack and his latest album, Soul Shadows, is one of purity and conviction.

There can be no doubting the musical aptitude and flair that resides in the body of Paul Carrack. A man whose talent is legendary and which stretches across so many decades and through so many groups and solo albums that if there was any fairness in the world, the iconic musician would have in another realm the moniker ‘National Treasure’ attached to his name after it is mentioned. However Paul Carrack is far too humble for that, you only have to watch him perform on stage around the country that is this a proud man, not frightened to send himself up when the occasion calls for it but who above all you cannot help but feel that no matter what, his family comes first and then his music.

Take the vocal harmony of Scottish Del Amitri when they are at their soulful best, combine elements of America’s Simon and Garfunkel and add the passion that certain songwriters can bring to their audience and the result you have is a superb album by Tinlin titled Shade Of The Shadows.

Tinlin are brothers Rolf and Alex Tinlin, with their vocal harmonies and soft gentle refrains, they make a proposition worth listening to with some wide eyed and overwhelming abandonment. The sound they combine alongside Stephanie Blood on cello on the songs In These Arms and Don’t Want To Sleep Alone, Jack Carrack on percussion and Eleanor Tinlin on cor anglais and oboe make this an album worth seeping yourself into.

Paul Carrack’s latest offering is quite simply one to savour. Good Feeling is not only the name of this excellent album but also the mood it generates as the various pieces of music drift over you is akin to the very best waking dreams and nights in front of a roaring and comforting fire.

Once in a while you are treated to a genuine star of the British music scene who takes your breath away.

Paul Carrack opened up a crammed and diverse set with Just A Little Lie and Stay Awake, the latter from his new album I Know That Name. Paul then went onto showcase the new album by playing some of the songs that appear on it, including It Ain’t Easy (To Love Somebody) and the brilliant song written for The Eagles on their last album I Don’t Want To Hear Anymore.